People are being asked to lobby their MP's because of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The Catholic Church has spoken out at every level against measures that would be implemented as part of this law. At a national level our Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor and the Cardinal of Scotland have both made it very clear that there are things that are wrong with this bill that need to be challenged.

On the train I read the briefing document given to all MP's which gives the background to this bill (kindly provided by Gordon Prentice himself), information provided by 'Right to Life', the Parish Resource pack to raise awareness about the Bill, including possible changes to the law on abortion, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics Joint Response to the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill, and statements made by the Church on this particular issue. As I was representing the Parish I wanted to make sure I had the facts at my fingertips so that the meeting was worthwhile.

After meeting several people who had travelled from all over the country to do the same as myself, and a photograph with Lord Alton, I went over to the Houses of Parliament. In the Central Lobby, a circular room full of activity, people waited to see their MP. There was a sense of purpose and many people there who would never do this sort of thing normally but something had to be said.

Mr Prentice met with me for twenty five minutes and this would have been longer had the division bell not rung for a vote. He listened very carefully as I outlined the main points and concerns that I had based on the teachings of the Church, representing the people of our parish, and also that these opinions were shared by many people of other faiths and none.

I placed at the centre of the discussion the status of an embryo: as we hold that life begins with conception any experimentation or discarding of embryos is wrong. Based on this I raised the issue of hybrid embryos (part human cells part animal) which challenged the very nature of what is meant to be human and the use of embryos for research especially as there is little proof of success whereas use of adult stem cells which the Church supports is very successful. I raised the issue of Saviour Siblings (where a child is born to be the donor for an elder brother or sister) and the problem with embryos that are not chosen and the status of a child born as a Saviour Sibling. I also raised the issue of the removal of 'the need for a Father' from law and birth certificates' and the risk that this Bill would be used by Pro Abortion lobbyists to make abortion more readily available. I based my points on information available at this time.

Our MP listened very carefully to what I had to say and assured me he would also listen very carefully to the debate taking place next week. The Labour MP's have a free vote next Monday and Tuesday so it does make a difference to make our voice heard. The meeting with Gordon Prentice was very useful and I am grateful for him giving up his time for what I consider to have been a mature and fruitful discussion after I had raised the main concerns of the Church regarding the Bill.

1) Send one of the postcards at the back of church to Gordon Prentice. The information and address is already on, all you have to do is send it;

2) Send an email or a letter based on the information on the postcard to Gordon Prentice (it is typed below but you can put it in your own words);

3) Send a letter, an email, or telephone him at the House of Commons (you will be able to leave a message) saying that you are supporting what Fr Chris came to lobby him about last Wednesday;

4) Pray: whilst the debates are taking place that the Holy Spirit will guide those who make the laws of our land to protect the innocent and the vulnerable.

Contact Details for our MP:

Email: prenticeg@parliament.uk

Telephone: 020 7219 3000 (ask for Gordon Prentice MP by name)

Address: Gordon Prentice MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Ask Gordon Prentice MP to vote against:

A) The creation of animal / human hybrids
B) The removal of 'the need for a Father' from law and birth certificates;
C) The increased use of embryos in stem cell research
D) Any further liberalisation of the Abortion Laws.

Or alternatively you could just say that you support what I was saying to him on Wednesday.

Statement from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Archbishop Peter Smith on the HFE Bill

We welcome this afternoon's announcement from the prime minister who, having carefully considered the representations made to him by many people, has decided that there will be a free vote on three key areas of the HFE Bill. The free vote will be welcomed by people of all faiths or none who are concerned about the implications of this Bill that go to the heart of what it means to be human.

Scientific research into the potential treatment and cure of various diseases is both welcome and necessary. There have been exciting developments in research using adult stem cells that do not involve the deliberate creation and destruction of human life, or the mixing of human and animal life. It is surely possible to achieve the good ends pursued by this research without recourse to ethically questionable means.

As a society we need to discuss and debate the ethical limits of scientific research in the interests of the common good of humanity. This is why we have asked for a national bio-ethics committee, common to other countries, to act as the focal point for discussion and advice on these matters. But clearly the debate on these important issues will continue both within and outside Parliament over the coming weeks and months.